Muzzle Brake

Abstract

A muzzle brake for a firearm having an outer body with a sidewall that defines at least one aperture and an inner tube that fits inside the outer body. The inner tube includes at least one aperture that corresponds to the at least one aperture of the outer body. The inner tube is rotatably mounted to the outer body. The muzzle brake may adopt an open position in which the apertures of the outer body are in communication with the apertures of the inner tube and a closed position in which the apertures of the outer body are not in communication with the apertures of the inner tube. When in the closed position, propellant and projectiles may be easily loaded into the barrel and when in the open position, gases and heat may easily escape, which minimizes or counteracts recoil.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A muzzle brake for a firearm, the muzzle brake comprising:
 an outer body having at least one sidewall with at least one aperture extending therethrough; and   an inner tube positioned inside the outer body and rotatably mounted within the outer body, wherein the inner tube comprises at least one aperture that corresponds to the at least one aperture in the outer body,   wherein the muzzle brake defines at least two positions, an open position in which the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in both the outer body and the inner tube are in direct communication, and a closed position in which the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in the outer body is not in communication with the at least one aperture in the inner tube.   
     
     
         2 . The muzzle brake of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube further comprises a track and the outer body further comprises a corresponding protrusion configured to travel within the track to allow the inner tube to rotate within the outer body. 
     
     
         3 . The muzzle brake of  claim 2 , wherein the corresponding protrusion is a retaining screw secured within a threaded screw hole formed in the outer body. 
     
     
         4 . The muzzle brake of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube further comprises a grip that extends beyond the outer body. 
     
     
         5 . The muzzle brake of  claim 4 , wherein the grip facilitates rotation of the inner tube within the outer body. 
     
     
         6 . The muzzle brake of  claim 1 , wherein the muzzle brake assembly is constructed from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, titanium, and composite. 
     
     
         7 . The muzzle brake of  claim 1 , wherein the muzzle brake assembly is formed integrally with the firearm. 
     
     
         8 . The muzzle brake of  claim 1 , wherein the muzzle brake assembly is configured to be attached to an end of an existing firearm. 
     
     
         9 . A method of using a muzzle brake for a firearm, the method comprising:
 loading the firearm while the muzzle brake is in a closed position, wherein the muzzle brake comprises;
 an outer body having one or more sidewalls with at least one aperture extending therethrough; and 
 an inner tube positioned inside the outer body and rotatably mounted within the outer body, wherein the inner tube comprises at least one aperture that corresponds to the at least one aperture in the outer body, wherein the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in the outer body is not in communication with the at least one aperture in the inner tube, and 
   rotating the inner tube to an open position, wherein the outer body and inner tube are positioned such that the at least one aperture in both the outer body and the inner tube are in direct communication.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein rotating the inner tube to an open position further comprises grasping a grip which extends beyond the outer body. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a user rotates the inner tube 45 degrees from a starting position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a user rotates the inner tube 90 degrees from a starting position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a user rotates the inner tube 180 degrees from a starting position.